Tag: Physical: 100

How to Win ‘Physical: 100’

November 25, 2025

Be awesome. That’s how! I know there’s a cash prize and that’s technically the primary motivator, but these are athletes who bring their own sets of motivations to this new, weird game: they want to win, they want to prove themselves, and in the case of Physical: Asia, they want to do right by their team. Actually, and to the consternation of some, these athletes are also sometimes influencers, which brings an additional motivation. Now, I don’t begrudge anyone who’s made uncomfortable by the very concept of influencers, the worst of whom do immoral, even illegal things for attention and money, and once we reasonably assume that that doesn’t apply to the contestants of Physical: Asia, we may still be uncomfortable that these talented, determined people don’t make enough money with their day job and need a side hustle, one subject to the whims of the heartless algorithm and the court of public opinion (itself blunted by social media). … More How to Win ‘Physical: 100’

Physical: Asia, Part II – Finale [PODCAST]

November 20, 2025

In this second and final episode covering the freshman season of Physical: Asia (check out the first part here), we’re just as shocked as Stun Gun by the thrilling conclusion. Heartbreaking losses, endearing personalities, and inspiring feats of physical spectacle turn this international experiment into an all-timer. … More Physical: Asia, Part II – Finale [PODCAST]

Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: Asia

November 14, 2025

We’re on the precipice of the season finale of Physical: Asia, but have already witnessed bracing human drama through punishing feats of endurance. Robyn almost drowned, James put 110 pounds on his back, and Alexandra pushed herself farther than anyone I’ve ever seen. It’s the signature appeal of its mothership series, Physical: 100, though this wasn’t obvious to me at first. Jang Ho-gi’s Netflix reality show premiered in January 2023, a self-proclaimed search for the “perfect physique” between one-hundred South Korean contestants – athletes, soldiers, bodybuilders – in challenges like “how long can you hang on this metal bar?” and “how far can you carry these sandbags?” Even as the set pieces scaled up to elaborate excess, the challenges felt oddly accessible, deferring spectacle to the contestants’ performances (even when they appeared to be static). And while often incredible, the contestants were additionally impressive for being so unlike the archetypal reality show character. They were polite and friendly with each other, and so interested in proving themselves that they’d rather compound an obstacle than weasel around it. Of course, none of this would’ve been enough to entice ol’ Harrison “gives up on movies and TV shows after mere minutes” Chute. No, the last essential ingredient of Physical: 100’s freshman season was Jang Eun-sil. … More Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: Asia

Physical: Asia, Part I [PODCAST]

October 31, 2025

Our favorite stress inducer returns, the latest in Netflix’s expanding Physical saga, Physical: Asia. Representatives from eight countries (not six, as I keep saying) gather to fiercely compete in the old games of sand and crate. In addition to a superstar like Manny Pacquiao and new favorites like Australia’s Eddie Williams and Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki, South Korea’s put up a dream team including season two’s winner Amotti and our forever captain, Jang Eun-sil. Donovan and I discuss how the old rewards of the show filter through a somewhat tricky new lens, and balance anxieties of what’s to come with the excitement for breakout players and their respective cultures. … More Physical: Asia, Part I [PODCAST]

Physical: 100 Season 2 Part II – The Final [PODCAST]

April 10, 2024

A winner declared! We’ve found the perfect physique, though the search continues! (What?) This week, Donovan and I recap episode #5 through the finale of Physical: 100 – Underground. Has a heart-pounding ending sustained our enthusiasm for the show despite a rocky, even controversial sophomore season? … More Physical: 100 Season 2 Part II – The Final [PODCAST]

Physical: 100 Season 2 Part I [PODCAST]

March 24, 2024

Don’t forget to turtle up! This week, Donovan and I discuss the first four episodes of Physical: 100 Season 2 — Underground, the triumphant return of the greatest show on TV. Despite loving the first season, we definitely had issues with the production and the ambitious but inevitably uncomfortable mission statement as it pertains to gender. Did they listen? … More Physical: 100 Season 2 Part I [PODCAST]

Siren: Survive the Island – Final Report

June 12, 2023

Boy, that Physical: 100 finale must have left scars on all of us. In the back of my mind, there was such a sense of “contestants vs. producers” throughout that, in the end, it was easy to blame everything on the anonymous, unseen puppet masters doubtlessly manipulating every frame of this so-called “reality” programming to whichever nefarious ends. By the time I’m writing about its spiritual sequel Siren – hoping to give it any kind of boost – proper accreditation never enters my mind. The contestants, sure. Those ladies are badass and I love them. But the bloodsucking producers? No! And I find myself now winding toward an apology not just because the creator of Siren is also a woman, though that certainly helps. Her name is Lee Eun-kyung, and with Siren: Survive the Island, I think she’s done something really great. … More Siren: Survive the Island – Final Report

Casual vs. Stressful Viewing

March 10, 2023

Today is The Glory Day, everyone, which I’ve been excited about for at least a month. I watched the first new episode this morning, and wow, was it scary. I’ve been meaning to write something more substantive about Lim Ji-yeon, because she was so impressive in Part 1, but now having seen her play a kind-hearted character — a doofus, even — in Welcome 2 Life, her transformation here is astonishing. She’s so evil, I just want to sing her praises all day. … More Casual vs. Stressful Viewing

Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: 100 Episode #7

February 14, 2023

In between last week’s episodes and this week’s, I found myself engaging with a Facebook group I’d otherwise elected to hide from (long story). Somebody wanted to know if anyone was watching Physical: 100, and apparently, I’ll take any chance to raise my hand and flail about. In that time, I’d also written an article for Collider, and characterized the show in breathless terms: “Whether all the contestants believe it, men and women are equal competitors in these challenges which emphasize a variety of strengths, creating a final, holistic visual metaphor — this time, for egalitarianism.” Wow! Put that on the DVD box: “Egalitarianism” – Collider. Naturally, I then bit my tongue, remembering that Jang Eun-sil was on thin ice, and if she goes down, the rest of the women follow. … More Jang Eun-sil Report – Physical: 100 Episode #7